Stapling machine



March 11 1924.

1,486,638 J. B. CROFOOT STAPLING MACHINE Filed Sent. 8, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /O gwvantoz dBUFw-wr,

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March 11 1924.

J. B. CROFQOT STAPLING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 8 1.922

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Patented Mar. 11, 1924.

UNITED STATES JOHN B. cnoroo'r, or cnrcneo, rumors]? srAPLING macnmn.

Application filed September 8, 1922. Serial No. 587,024.

To all whom it may concern:'

Be it known that I, JOHN B. CRoroo'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stapling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stapling machines and has for an object to provide a stapler employing the well known strips of connected staples on the market as a commercial proposition, with improved means for manipulating such staple strips to efl'ect the stapling of tags and the like upon boxes and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a stapling machine an improved type of clipping mechanism whereby the units of the stapling strip areindividually severed at the time of stapling.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for sustaining and support ing the spring which actuates apart of the staple severing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved head for the plunger which forms the sta le setting mechanism and a part of the stap e severing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for locking the feeding mechanism to permit the plunger to be removed from the frame and thereafter the removal of the feeding mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an opening or clearance for the dis charge of chips, splinters or the like which may be severed or disen aged from the wood into which the staple is being set for the purpose of relieving the machine.

With these and other objects in view, the invention comprises certain novel parts, units, elements, combinations, inter-actions and functions, as disclosed in the drawings,

and locked in withdrawn positidn and the staple-setting plunger at the lower limit of its movement;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional viewthrough the guide-way for accommodating and feeding the staple strip.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary inverted plan view;

Figure 6 is a view of the details'of' the staple setting and severing mechanism separated, and

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of the plunger completeand vthe spring positioning sleeve.

Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several news. I

The improved staple setting machine which forms the subject matter of the present application is adapted to employ strips of staples well known in the trade and in the art and forming an article of commerce purchasable at stationery stores and the like.

The strip of staples is inserted into the machine at the end and position indicated at 10 in Figure 2, sliding through the guideway 11 with the end unit of such staple strip extending'over the-knife 12 and into position so that the descending plunger 13 will sever such unit from the strip. more particularly at Figure 5 the frame 1 1 is formed with grooves 15 to guide the staple severed by the descending plunger to enter the work, as indicated by the staple at 16. This action of the staple strip extending a single unit beyond the knife and being severed and set by the plunger is old in the art and the broad comblnation is, therefore, not claimed as novel in this application.

For advancing the staple strip with a step by step movement so that at each reciprocationof the plunger 13 a new stapleunit shall be extended beyond the end of the knife, a pawl .17 is pivoted at 18 to the sliding bolt 19. This sliding bolt 19 is'mounted to reciprocate in a guide socket 29 anda spring 21 tends to hold the bolt 19 outwardly nto engagement with the plunger 13. The plunger 13 is provided with a cam notch 22 which, upon its descent, forces the plunger back to the position shown at Figure 3 so that the paw1.17 slides over one unit of the staple strip. Upon the upward movement of the plunger 13 the sliding bolt 19 is impelled outwardly by the spring 21 to the position shown at Figure 2, whereupon the pawl 17 As shown' held to position by the spring 23 moves out- .wardly and moves therewith the staple strip to advance the strip to project the next unit beyond the end of the knife 12.

Avdetent 24 pivoted at 25 and actuated by a spring 26 is provided for preventing retroactive movement of'the strip. It will be apparent, therefore, that at each downward movement of the plunger 13 a single staple unit will be severed and set and at each upward movement the staple strip will be advanced the distance of a single unit so that the next staple unit will be in position to be severed and set by the descending plunger. It will be noted from Figures 5 and 6 that the knife 12 is constructed witlrintegral ribs27 which serve-to space the central or carrying portion 28 away from the frame producing thereby a guideway, indicated as 11, of the proper contour and proportion to accommodate the movement of this staple strip. It will also be noted that the ribs 27 are extended at the end at 29 forming with the grooves 15 a proper guide for accommodating the plunger 13. This plunger 13 is provided with ribs 30 which slide in the guideways 15 and an offset portion 31 operating between the lugs 29. The portion 32 of the plunger is" merely for the purpose of properly guiding and positioning between the cheeks of the frame 14. By the formation of the knife 12 as shown the staple sliding in the guide-grooves 15 abuts at one side against the shoulders of the frame and at the opposite side a ainst the lugs 29 which prevents the staple rom entering into any interstices between the knife and the frame and clogging the machine. In other words, in any direction in which the staple may move angularly from its direct onward path it will abut against a solid metal abutment,

providing no crevices or interstices for entry and binding. As will be noted the knife 12 which, with the plunger 13, forms the severing mechanism for the machine, is secured between portions of the frame 14 by means of rivets 33.

For disassembling the plunger and staple advancing mechanism a hole 34 is provided through the frame 14 and a key 35, the operating part of which is merely a straight wire, is provided which may be inserted through the openings 34 in the frame when the bolt is in its rearward position, as shown at Figure 3, retaining such bolt in its retracted position, as shown therein, whereupon the plunger 13 may be readily and instantly withdrawn from its guide. being accomplished, the key 34 may be withdrawn permitting the spring 21 to force the bolt 19 outwardly, thus disassembling all of the parts except the detent 24 which is not subject to damage and, therefore, needs practically no attention.

To automatically move the plunger 13 This ing the upper part of said plunger and seated at its lower end in a supporting sleeve comprising a disk 37 bearing upon the frame 14 with upstanding circular flange 38. The disk 37 is perforated at 39 with a perforation corresponding in shape and contour to a transverse section of the plunger 13 which permits the sliding of the plunger therethrough but retains the sleeve and supporting mechanism against movement.

At its upper end the plunger 13 is provided with a head adapted for manual operation by being struck by hand. This head in its improved form comprises al sleeve 40 seated upon a reduced part 41 of the shank and resting upon a shoulder 42. The length of this sleeve 40 is less than the length of the reduced portion '41 which, after emerging from the sleeve 40 is inserted through the opening 43 of the disk 44. The end of the reduced portion 41 is then upset, as indicated at 45, above this disk 44, whereby the three parts, the plunger 13,'the sleeve 40 and the disk 44 are rigidly secured together. The upset 45, however, does not form a desirable contact surface for the hand of the user. For this purpose a cap 46 is employed having a flange, as shown at 47 in Figure 6, spun or stamped to embrace the edges of the disk 44, as shownat 48 in Figures 2 and 7. This cap is bulged upwardly to accommodate the upset head 45, the edges being crimped or spun under the margin of the disk 44 to form a convex head.-

The head. is further preferably provided with a cushioning member 49 which, according to the present practice, will be constructed of rubber of soft and yielding nature havingan inturned constricted annulus 50 for engaging yieldingly the inturned edges of the convex cap.

At some convenient point on the frame 14, as for instance at the upper corner opposite the plunger 13, a claw 51 is provided for the purpose of withdrawing from the work any staples improperly set or any damaged or defective staples, making thereby a complete operating unit.

It has been the experience in the use ofv devices for a similar purpose that in opcrating-especially on wood, slivers, or chips are dislodged or broken by the staples and jam in the guideway formed for the passage of the staples, thereby disturbing. the proper operation of the machine. For the purpose of relieving this jamming, holes 52 are formed through the sides of the frame communicating with the' guide-groove 15 and through which such chips or slivers pass and are discharged, adding greatly to.

usual and ordinary type will be inserted into the machine at and in the direction indicated by arrow 10 at Figure 2 occupying the position 11, shown more particularly at Figure 4 restin upon the top rib 28 of the knife 12 at Its center or united part with the penetrating points or legs extending downwardly upon opposite sides of this rib 28 and with the space provided by the ribs 27. The extreme unit of this strip will extend over the knife 12 and be positioned in the guideway 15 formed between, the lugs 29 and the opposite shoulders of the frame 14. The guide-grooves 15 are of such width as to properly accommodate the staple. It is well known thati'n such staple strips there exists between each two staple units an attenuated neck which must be severed when the staple is set.' The clipping of this attenuated neck intermediate the staple units is provided by the offset 31 of the plunger and the extending of the lugs 29 beyond the rib 28.

The staple strip as thus inserted passes under the detent 24 which, by reason of the spring 26, yields to such passage; also under the pawl 17, which, by reason of its spring 23, also yields for the urpose. The device is now loaded and rea y for operation and is placed in such position as its use may reuire. At Figure 1 one of said uses is inicated in stapling a tag upon a box, or .the like. For this purpose the staplingmachine is set upon the tag in its required position and the cushion 49 or -the cap 46 struck by the hand of the operator, forcing the plunger 13 downwardly so that it passes in s eer relation with the knife 12, severing the extended staple unit carrying it therewith downwardly and forcing the penetrating prongs into the wood or other material to be sta led. This completes the setting of a sing e staple, but the withdrawal of the hand of the user from the cushion 49 or ca 4.6 permits the spring 36 to move the p unger upwardly. The movement of the plunger is continued until the cam notch 22 is in such position that the bolt 19 may be moved outwardly under the action of the spring 21 to engage the shoulder of said notch. This prevents the further move-- ment of the plunger upwardly. simultaneously moving forward the bolt and the detent to advance the staple strip the distance of a single unit, whereupon another unit will extend beyond the knife in position to be severed by the next descending movement of the plunger.

In disassembling the machine, the plunger is depressed to its limit, as shown at Figure 3. and the key. 35 is inserted through the openin 34 at the rear of the shoulder of the bofi: 19, holding such bolt in such retracted position, the lunger then being free to be withdrawn wit out restraint from the frame. If only the plunger is desired to becleared from the frame, the re uirements. may be complied with and the p unger reinserted and the key withdrawn. If, however, the feeding mechanism requires attention, while the plunger is withdrawn, the key is also withdrawn and the spring 21 forces the bolt 19 outwardly, carrying therewith the pawl 17. After such attention as may be required, these parts may be returned by sliding the bolt 19 into the guide-hole 20. It may be held in such position by a pencil or other convenient means until the plunger 13 is moved into osition, whereupon the device is again rea y for operation.

It, is also well known that in-the setting of staples in wood or other material likely to sliver, splinter or chip, the action of the device is occasionally interrupted by the interposition of chips or the like into the stapling space. This is overcome by the formation' of the hole 52 in the, sides of the frame communicating with the guide-grooves 15, through which such chips or splinters are discharged when they form in this groove and tend to obstruct the free passage of staples.

l/Vhat I claim is: i

1. In a stapling machine the combination with a reciprocating plunger and a feeding mechanism actuated thereby, of a lock adapted to engage the feeding mechanism in its retracted position clearing the parts for the removal of the plunger.

2. In a stapling machine the combination with a reciprocating plunger and a feeding mechanism embodying a bolt mounted to reciprocate perpendicular to the plunger and to be operated thereby, of a key insertable through the mechanism in the rear of the bolt to maintain the bolt out of engagement with and permit the withdrawal of the plunger.

3. In a stapling machine, a frame com prising spaced parts, a plunger, a feed actuating bolt reciprocated by the plunger, said frame being provided with openings, and a. key proportioned to be inserted into the openings to maintain the bolt in its fully retracted position.

4. In a stapling machine, a frame comprising space parts, a plunger, a springpressed feed actuatin bolt reciprocated in one direction by the phmger against the tension of the spring, said frame being provided with openings, and a key proportioned to be inserted into the openings to maintain the bolt at its fully retracted position with the spring under tension.

5. In a stapling machine a plunger having a reduced shank, a sleeve embracing the shank, a disk having an opening embracing the shank and bearing upon the sleeve, said reduced shank being upset upon the side of the disk opposite the sleeve and extending above the plane of the disk, and move said plunger and bolt to one limit of 15 a concavo-convex cap covering over and entheir movement, said plunger and bolt being closing the upset end of the plunger and so formed that eachlimits the movement having its marginal edges locked under the of the other against the tension of its re- 5 marginal edges of the disk. spective spring, a feed pawl carried by the 6. A stapling machine comprising a frame, bolt, and means to maintain the bolt out of 20 a setting plunger mounted to slide in the limiting action upon the plunger. frame, a bolt arranged perpendicular to the In testimony whereof I aifix my signature. plunger and mounted to be reciprocated in i 10 the frame by the plunger, springs tending to J OHN' B. 'OROFOOT. 

